Hurdle Task 2 - The True Australian Identity
Australia is a country that has been described as diverse, multicultural and unique. Our geography, flora and fauna and cultural history are different to anywhere else, which has definitely captured the attention of the rest of the world. Australian society has evolved in a very short space of time from the earliest convict settlements established in the mid 19thcentury, to the cosmopolitan states that currently exist and attract immigrants from all continents across the globe. Australia’s history has reflected conflict, human rights violations, economic growth and the hardship associated with establishing a refined society in a harsh and primitive landscape. Throughout the various stages of Australian history, Australians have attempted to grab onto an identity that makes them unique and able to bond with another fellow Australian. This has not always been easy, given the diversity that has grown over the centuries - the definition of the true Australian identity has changed over time.
One aspect of Australian Identity that is continually misrepresented to the rest of the world is the stereotypical image of the tanned, blonde, athletic, easy going, slow talking Aussie. It is true that our climate and geography enable Australians to spend leisure time at the beach or outdoors. It is also true that Australians tend to love sport. However, this Anglo Saxon image is far from what the average Australian looks like today. Due to the technological revolution and a lifestyle that includes an abundance of food, many Australians are actually overweight and the bronzed god image simply does not fit most people. The demographics of Australian society in general have also changed over time, as migrants from Europe, Asia and the Middle East have moved the balance from a previously British dominated population. The face of your average Australian could be Asian or European or Anglo-Saxon but would most likely be a mix of a couple of cultures. Therefore, the aspect of appearance cannot be considered when looking for true Australian Identity. It may not be the original inhabitants of Australia, the dark skinned aboriginals, nor is it the stereotypical suntanned blonde or even a pale-skinned European – the true Australian Identity cannot be based on appearance and an image, as to be a true Australian, you could be a multicultural mix of many.
The true Australian identity is linked to opportunity and the hope of a better life. It would be too simplistic to claim that the true Australian identity could be defined effectively by examining the indigenous communities that existed prior to the British colonization of Australia. It would also be unrealistic to just focus on the British colonies that developed from convict settlements to towns that attracted free settlers seeking a better life from what Britain and Europe actually offered. Perhaps the only idea that we can retain from these early times is the concept of seeking a better life and this is a common aspect of Australian identity that resonates with all who have come to Australia. Those who came during the Gold Rush, the bushrangers who challenged authority and lived a life of crime, the Europeans who fled poverty or the evil of war – all held onto the idea that this country provided an opportunity for something better. This has been something that has been present hundreds of years ago and is still significant to people seeking a better life, illustrated through the many refugees who risk their lives attempting to come to Australia by boat every year. This is only one aspect of our identity, as courage to face challenge and take risks is a quality that many Australians value and respect.
Another aspect of identity that appears to be considered a characteristic of a true Australian is that of mate-ship. History again shows us that Australians are there for one another and will come to the assistance of each other in spite of potential danger to themselves. This selfless courage or generosity of spirit was seen in our soldiers during the wars, in the volunteers who have risked their lives to fight fires or rescue fellow countrymen from disasters; and in the various stories of heroism or sacrifice from ordinary people who showed Australia what more they were capable of. Australians will come to the assistance of fellow Australians when times are tough, demonstrated after the Black Saturday bushfires and during the Queensland floods. This mate-ship has been immortalized in literature and through the legacy of the ANZACs but we see it all the time, reflected through the media, particularly during times of adversity. Mate-ship is also associated with having a sense of humour and having someone to have a laugh with; and being a ‘mate’ to someone in a time of need is something that most Australians believe they identify with, which ties in with the Australian qualities of tolerance and acceptance.
Perhaps the most significant quality of our true National identity is our ability to accept others who are different to us. Australian has become a multicultural society and our identity has shifted from what it was in the past. Australians are used to the many cultures around them and most people have included aspects from different cultures or religions into their daily lives. We join in events like Chinese New Year, go to Italian Festivals, we enjoy eating kebabs and sushi and get invited to friend’s ceremonies that take place in different places of worship. We help celebrate milestones and dance to music that we may not always understand but we accept that any differences are just a part of who that other person is and it is our job to accept these things. Our ability to accept things that are new and different, as well as our ability to tolerate things that we may not want for ourselves but know to be important to someone else – these are definitely aspects of the true Australian identity.
Australia has traditionally been known as the ‘lucky country’ and this fortune does not just come from the resources our country contains or the opportunities that have been provided for all people who have come here in search of more. We are lucky because our identity is still evolving and we appear to be retaining the best aspects from history and adopting anything new that we feel improves our quality of life. The true Australian identity is a reflection of all that is good in everyone – it has a changeable expressive human face that seems to enjoy a laugh, with an ability to hope and contribute to a better future. It can about being be a mate who can accept difference and be there when times are tough. We should not be ashamed of our changing identity, as its diversity should be something that is truly remarkable and an example for the rest of the world.
Reflection for Hurdle Task 2 – The True Australian Identity
The form for this writing sample was an expository essay that attempted to explain what the true Australian identity is. As the topic of Australian identity often causes a great deal of debate in relation to issues about racial superiority and the negative consequences of historical events, I tried to explain aspects of the true Australian Identity that go beyond cultural association or stereotype. I attempted to identify aspects of identity that unite all of us in Australia, regardless of ethnicity or culture.
I began with the issue of image or appearance and attempted to dispel the notion of identity being associated with a specific ‘look’. I then selected to focus on three ideas that could be significant to all Australians and would not exclude anyone, even Australians from extremely diverse backgrounds. The three ideas I selected to define Australian identity were: opportunity, mate-ship and ability to accept, as all three are important to living in an environment of change and diversity. The concept of change through time features heavily in this essay and I have included many historical events to emphasise Australia’s progress in the pursuit of developing a better national identity that includes and values everyone – compared to past societies that may have excluded or marginalized specific groups.
This essay relates to the ideas presented in We Can Be Heroes because like the mockumentary, it explores the notion of what it means to be a true Australian. The essay acknowledges that there is no one face to represent a nation’s identity and that we value higher qualities when we decide on the merit of human beings. Like the characters in the series, Australian society is made up of people from a range of backgrounds that all bring something unique to Australian society. If we take away the comical stereotypes and the often selfish or ignorant motives of people, we are able tosee qualities that unite us all and do provide a concept of a common National identity.
This expository essay aims to explain in a positive way how Australian Identity should be viewed by all people enjoying the benefits of living in this country. This piece would appeal to anyone currently living in Australian society. The intended message in this piece is that the true Australian identity must not be based on stereotype or another culture’s identity. The message in this essay relates to Australian identity being defined by qualities that remain significant through time. The piece acknowledges the issues from the past but attempts to focus on a more positive social future for all Australians. Despite difference and diversity, Australians can find commonality and appreciate the best in each other. The language seeks to reflect positivity without being idealistic.
As a fourth generation Australian, I have a good understanding of Australian history and the changes that have taken place through time. I have attempted to include historical language, as well as specific symbols of Australian culture in the discussion. The tone is informal and seeks to provide an informed explanation that is based on real events and impartiality. I have attempted to take a very humanist approach. My piece was aimed at appealing to people’s common sense and need to identify with others – which is what makes us all human.
Hurdle Task 3 - Are Australians Really Racist?
Racism exists in our society and causes unhappiness and conflict for many who are made to feel ashamed about their nationality. Good afternoon fellow students and teachers of Mill Park Secondary College, today I would like to talk to you about the ugliness in some Australians and discuss the question of whether or not Australians are really racist. Although it would be wrong to apply the same type of generalisations to all Australians, as they are similar to the racist generalisations that are made about other nationalities, I do believe that Australians can be really racist. Historical events, the mass media and current social attitudes towards people from other cultures all reflect how racism was and continues to be an ongoing threat to social harmony.
Current racist attitudes have been created and passed on through the generations, starting with how the innocent indigenous communities were treated when their land was invaded. This attitude of righteousness from white Australians was strengthened when racism was historically built into our constitution through policies such as the ‘Immigration Restriction Act’ and ‘White Australia Policy’. But that was the past, I hear you protest and yes I agree laws have changed and on the surface there is equality for all citizens of Australia; but let’s look at some simple truths. The United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination released a report in 2005 about the situation of Indigenous people in Australia and there was considerable concern about the abolishment of organisations that represented indigenous people. Consequently, there were clear barriers in relation to indigenous people seeking claim to native title for land, fair legislation in relation to racial discrimination, as well as obvious inequities in the areas of health, education and employment. In a nutshell, things are still unfair for indigenous people in current Australian society and the problems are not being addressed by the Government. Are the indigenous people of Australia still disadvantaged in Australian society? Of course they are. Are white Australians represented by our politicians and law makers still holding the balance of power over these people? Yes they are. Racism is about discrimination and this still exists for these members of Australian society, but the indigenous people of Australia are not the only ones who have experienced racism in Australia.
There are frequently incidents of racism reflected in the media. News headlines regularly show conflict between cultures, which often result in violence requiring police intervention. Who can forget the Cronulla riots between large numbers of Australia and Middle Eastern youths? The hatred and unrestrained violence that each side showed to each other is surely an indication that racism is still present in our society and being passed on to our younger generation. Australia drew negative international attention when news headlines around the world revealed that Indian students were being attacked. Given the large number of Indian students studying in Australia and the increasing number of people moving to Australian from an Indian background, it is logical that there would be more incidents reported. However, the increased number of attacks on individuals from that particular cultural background would indicate that this was deliberate and targeted at a specific culture. It does not stop there either.
Television programs are frequently under scrutiny for presenters making derogatory racist comments or having a laugh at the expense of someone from another culture. People like Sam Newman from The Footy Show abuse their celebrity status and get cheap laughs by mocking other cultures or referring to them as monkeys. The sporting industry is also guilt of treating fellow athletes or team mates like second class citizens because they are not from an Anglo background and this is seen and accepted by the young fans who follow the sports. Their behaviour is made acceptable and the cycle of racism is normalised and becomes part of a culture. Oh yes we make excuses that our comments are only jokes or we claim that the person on the receiving end is not offended and laughs along, able to poke fun at their own culture but the truth is, laughing at another person’s appearance, beliefs or cultural aspects means we are ridiculing who they are. We all know it is a put down and can and does build resentment over time, particularly if the person being put down believes they are in a less fortunate situation than the person judging them. If you asked many different nationalities whether they believe they have been judged, mocked or disadvantaged by others, the answer would definitely be yes.
A majority of Australians are unsympathetic towards refugees and want the Government to keep them out at any cost. Public surveys reveal that a majority of Australians do not want people from certain countries coming into their country. They do not want processing centers in their towns and they definitely do not want groups of displaced people living in their communities. The recent television program Go Back from Where You Came From showed the inherent racism that exists in people until they are placed in the shoes of someone else. The majority of Australians are from various backgrounds from all around the world yet many feel they have more right to be living in this country than other people. They believe they should have greater advantage than someone else because they have been born into a more fortunate situation, than someone who has refugee status. This racism does not just extend to white Australians, as many different nationalities who call themselves Australians also do not want boatloads of refugees coming into Australia. Some may say we are simply protecting our way of life, those things we value; but for people seeking assistance and a chance for the same freedom and opportunities that Australians enjoy, they are denied these things on the basis of race. This can only be defined as racism.
We are all part of an education system that attempts to teach tolerance and acceptance of diversity and difference. Are Australians really racist? I think most people here know the answer to that; though their own experiences in the schoolyard and what they have experienced in their personal lives. Yes the laws have changed over time and yes the media reflects society’s storiesof racism and brands it as unacceptable but attitudes can shift even further. We may never eradicate racism completely but we are a multicultural country that has accepted people from all over the world and generally enjoys peace and a high standard of living. Australians can sometimes be really racist but we can continue to learn about others so that we understand who they are and why they are the way they are, in the pursuit of a more peaceful future. I would like to leave you with a quote from Abraham J Heschel -Racism is man’s greatest threat to man – the maximum of hatred for a minimum of reasons.